Current Developments in the Middle East, Term Paper Example

Realist, Liberal and Constructivist perspective explained

Realism has been a dominant theory that has been applicable in international relations as it has a critical role in the state of war as the normal condition in majority of the international systems. Majority of the realists such as the ISIS have justified their tradition using this bold claim. The realists have also been associated with skepticism with regard to their notion on existence of universal moral principles. They therefore warn their leaders at the state level against sacrificing individual interests for the purposes of holding on indeterminate thoughts that are associated with ethical conduct. Additionally, the realists postulate that, their leaders must keep off from the ideas that are linked to morality. The state leaders in realist establishments were anticipated to embrace a divergent type of morality that contradicted the Christian traditions virtues but to align with their political prudence as well as necessity (Zachary, 156-78). Consequently, realism has been associated with the highest echelons of immorality.

Although in most cases, realism has been perceived as the dominant theory for explanation of international relations. However, liberalism has gained a sturdy claim as the historic alternative and much of the liberal thinking in the majority of the Western states during the 20^th century were influenced by the elite policy makers as well as the public opinion (Tim, 100-110). The ideal perception of liberalism on an international context entails the analogy of a character of a political actor as well as international conduct (Tim, 114-123).  Just as people do, the states displays divergent characteristics with some being bellicose as well as war prone while others are more peaceful and tolerant. The perceptions of the liberalists involve a parallel between the sovereign states and the individuals. There is a general concession among the liberalists that much is needed prior to achievement of cooperative behavioral patterns with regard to various issues as well as challenges. The realists share common opinions with the realists that war is a recurring characteristic in the anarchists system but they fail to associate anarchy with the real cause of the war.

On the contrary, constructivism is associated with a humble beginning and it serves as a crucial theory in explanation of international relations. According to the theory, states are commonly faced with enduring interests that include wealth and power. The states are under the constraints with regard to their potentials in furthering their interests which is attributed to material forces that include technology, power distribution and geographical issues (Michael, 156-160). The three theories have critical bearing to the ongoing developments in the Middle East

The ongoing developments in the Middle East such as ISIS

The Middle East has been associated with three religions that have great influence on global issues. This has been the root cause of rise and fall of empires with some of their absolute rulers proclaiming themselves as the epitome of power but soon or later, they vanish as a mirage (Henry, 97-110). The current development in the Middle East is comfortably associated with the principles of realism and liberalism as indicated by their actions of anarchy and immorality. A cornucopia of visionary absolutism has been a prominent feature in the regions that have been perched between the dream associated with the preliminary glory and the current incapacity of unification based on some principles of international as well as domestic legitimacy. The international order has therefore been a complex challenge with regard to the organization of the regional order coupled with achieving compatibility of the order with stability as well as peace in other global regions (Henry, 97-110).

The Middle East has made frantic efforts of experimenting with a number of historical experiences all at the same time. These include some jihads also called the holy war, the empire, foreign domination as well as sectarian wars and later strive to settle at international order which may never be achievable. This is also a clear indication of the principles of principles of realism and liberalism. The region hangs between the balance of joining the global order or struggling against the order. Succession of empires had been a common practice in the Middle East with each of them perceiving itself as the core of life civilization. The achievement a universal system among the Muslims based on jihad that gave the adherents an obligation to use their strong faith for struggle involving warfare and military strategy. Jihad was also applicable in exerting the full potentials of the believers in redemption as well as glorification of the principles of the religion. Based on prevailing circumstances, region as well as eras, there has been a considerable variation on the emphasis of jihad. Some situations require proclamation of jihad through the tongue, the hands, the heart and the sword. The early state of this religion required that the creed  be expanded in all directions and the entire community was postulated to act as a solitary political entity with aspirations of challenging all other global systems. Consequently, the interactions between the Muslim community and members of other non Muslim communities have been characterized by periods of constructive coexistence and stretches marked by antagonism. Trade has played a crucial role in enhancing the interactions between the Muslims and the non-Muslims due to the shared gains that are anticipated from trade. This aspect contradicts the principles of realism and liberalism to some degree and the principle of constructivism finds its application. However, the binary concept associated with the world order has persisted as the formal doctrine among the Muslims especially in Iran where it has been incorporated in their constitution. This has been the root cause of rallying onslaught towards the minority groups in the Middle East countries including Lybia, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. This is yet another manifestation of principles of realism and liberalism. These countries have been associated with some terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant, ISIL.

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) proliferated from AQI in 2013 as militant group that undertakes the operations of Al-Qaeda that is an extremely precarious jihadist group. ISIS has been involved in fighting the government in Iraq as well as Syria (Ben, 14). The precise size of the group has not yet been documented but the fighters in the group include some foreign fighters. Approximately 80% of the fighters in Syria are from western countries and other members of the group have been drawn from France, UK, and Germany, the Arab countries, the US as well as European countries. The leader of ISIS is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Kaplan, 24).   

Conclusion

The efforts of ISIS group aims at Islamic emirates which has been associated with straddling Iraq and Syria and much success has been associated with the activities of the group. This includes gaining some reputation of some brutal rule in the regions under their control. ISIS is an extremist organization involved in terrorism activities with great influence in Syria and Iraq and limited control over Nigeria and Libyan territories and additional affiliates in other parts of the world. The activities of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has been at the center of concern by the United Nations due to abuses to human rights, activities of ethnic cleansing, prompting the  Amnesty International and the United Nations to designate the organization as a terrorist group (Rashid, 124-34). Majority of the global nations have consequently declared war against such organizations.

Works cited

Kaplan, Hilal. “Charging Turkey for ISIS”. Daily Sabah. Retrieved 28 September 2014.

Ben Hubbard. “Life in a Jihadist Capital: Order With a Darker Side”. The New York Times. Retrieved 5 September 2014.

Michael Barnett. Social constructivism, file:///C:/Users/joma/Downloads/Constructivism-2.pdf. accessed May 16, 2015.

Tim Dunne & Brian Schmidt. Realism file:///C:/Users/joma/Downloads/Realism-2.pdf May 16, 2015.

Henry Kissinger. World order file:///C:/Users/joma/Downloads/Kissinger-World_Order-CH.3.pdf May 16, 2015.

Tim Dunne Liberalism. file:///C:/Users/joma/Downloads/Liberalism.pdf May 16, 2015.

Rashid Khalidi, Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America’s Perilous Path in the Middle East. 2004.

Zachary Lockman, Contending Visions of the Middle East: The History and Politics of Orientalism. Cambridge UP. 2004.